Jaguars get four-set road win over Emmanuel University
By J.Ben Haynes | Sports writer
The Augusta University volleyball team got back in the win column with a 3-1 match victory over Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs on Tuesday night, Oct 22.
With the win, the Jaguars snapped a two-game losing streak and built momentum going into a rematch with Flagler College at Christenberry Fieldhouse on Friday, Oct. 25.
In the opening set, both teams traded blows on the way to a 12-12 tie, but a 13-7 Augusta run, led by three Sophia Kruczko kills, put the set a way and gave the Jaguars a 1-0 match lead heading into the second set.
The second set also tight, with Emmanual having a 21-20 advantage through the first 41 points, but the Lions finished the set on a 5-1 run to win the set 25-21 and tie the match score at one set apiece.
However, the Jaguars came roaring back to steal the momentum in the third set, getting out to a 17-10 lead that was too much for Emmanuel to overcome, as Augusta eventually won the third set 25-16.
The third set was a dominant one for the Jaguars, highlighted by a combined eight kills between Jada Suguturaga and Marin Freeland, as well as back-to-back service aces from Marah Zenner.
Just like the previous three sets, the start of the fourth set was tight, as the first 25 points saw the Lions with a 13-12 lead. But a 6-1 run gave Augusta a commanding 18-14 lead.
The lead would hold, as the Jaguars scored four straight point to win the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
For Augusta, Suguturaga had a massive presence throughout the match, finishing with 10 kills on a .455 attack percentage to go along with 7 block assists defensively. Kruczko hit at a .321 clip, while Madelyn Eden had nine kills on a .350 clip. Freeland finished with 11 kills.
Zenner finished with 18 assists, while Janvier Buggs had 21. Giulia Rodrigues led the defense with 22 digs.
The Jaguars also had a huge advantage in service, finishing with eight total aces. Rylie Harris led the team with three aces.
“I think we needed that win to remember who we are as a team,” said Harris. “Hopefully, we carry that momentum on into our rematch with Flagler.”
With the win, Augusta moves to 12-4 overall, as they look ahead to a home Peach Belt Conference matchup with Flagler College on Friday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m.
The Jaguars will also play on Sunday, Oct. 27, when they host Mount Olive at 4 p.m.
Contact J.Ben Haynes at jamhaynes@augusta.edu.
Specialist Rylie Harris came up big in the win over Emmanuel with three aces and 10 digs. At the top of the page, Giulia Rodrigues (4) had 22 digs in the four-set win over the Lions. Teammate Layne Witherspoon (20) watches. (photos by Lydia Williams/the Bell Ringer)
